First World War - On this Day..... Centenary Commemorations

Commemoration of casualties from the Parochial Parish of Kingsdown and Creekside

At 11pm on 4 August 1914 Britain declared war on Germany, ushering in one of the darkest periods in our history.

At the end of the centenary commemorations in 2018, the Lynsted biographies will be pulled together in a Book of Remembrance.

The Casualties: From this page you can follow the First World War as it was experienced through the sacrifices of casualties from our Parish and nearby. The family connections of soldiers and the places in our Parishes fromwhich they came.Outside Lynsted Parish, we have included names and records from other Parishes within theKingsdown and Creekside Parochial Parish but the greatest detail is given for Lynsted Parish throughthe Society WW1Project.

Home Front News: We add occasional "snippets" from newspapers and other sources that give a sense of what was happening on the "Home Front" and the information as it flowed back home. Not always war-related.

Memorial: Newnham and Doddington Theatre: British East Africa (Kenya)
He was the only son of Lieutenant-Colonel Christopher George Oldfield, R.A.. Nephew of Brigadier General Jeffreys, of Doddington Place where Guy spent much of his childhood.

10th October & the 1st Battle(s) of Ypres:The dates for the "1st Battle of Ypres" vary according to sources and definitions used. Field Marshal Viscount French, who was in charge of British Forces in theatre at this time, gives 15th October as the start in his book "1914" (pub. 1919).
However, according to the "Report of the Battles Nomenclature Committee, 9th July 1920", the '1st Battle' was made up of four battles that took place simultaneously during the period 10th October-11th November 1914.

Memorial: Newnham and Doddington [Newnham Panel as "A. Midgett"]Theatre:France and FlandersDied near Radinghem.
One of 12 children of William and Mary Ann Medgett living in Goodnestone (near Canterbury/Sandwich). Five or six sons served during WW1. Only Arthur died; his younger brother Albert (Sgt) won the Military Medal.

Memorial: Lynsted Church
Theatre: France and FlandersDied near Armentieres. Re-buried ("Concentrated" from a nearby cemetery that had been marked by a cross) in Y-Farm Cemetery, Bois Grenier (3 miles south of Armentieres).
First joined the Buffs in 1902, became active in 1904. Re-enlisted (The Buffs) on declaration of war.

Memorial: Newnham and DoddingtonTheatre: Home ServiceDied: Registered death in Faversham (appears to have died from infectious disease in hospital facilities at Lenham/Hollingbourne nearby)

8th - 14th January 1915: The Battle of Soissons. A brief and ferocious battle as the French tried to secure a 132-metre hill (Hill 132) but had to retreat after the River Aisne was flooded, destroying bridges to the rear of French forces. Only after they were able to construct replacement bridges were they able to retreat. Illustrated London News Report "The Battle of Soissons: Aisne Floods and Bombarded Buildings." Illustrated London News [London, England] 6 Feb. 1915: 184."

22nd April 1915: The Second Battle of Ypres opens with a sustained German attack that included the first use of poisonous gas on the battlefield on the first day. Ended on 25th May [Ref: HMSO 1922] - Personal recollections of the early part of this Battle include the account of George Archibald Hall (Teynham, below) and two soldiers' letters.

Memorial: Faubourg-d'Amiens Cemetery, ArrasTheatre: France and FlandersDied: Shrapnel Wounds to the lung after a (British?) shell hit his heavy trench mortar forward position.
{Society Note: Omitted from the Teynham Memorial but, at the time of his death, identified as a Teynham man.}

Memorial: Arras Memorial, Faubourg-D'Amiens Cemetery, Panel 2Theatre: France and FlandersDied: From initial wounds almost certainly inflicted in early pitch darkness and confusion close to CHERISY the same day that he died.

Memorial: Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas de Calais & Roll of Honour at Keble College, OxfordTheatre: France and FlandersDied: Killed in Action on a familiarisation flight over the Front near Arras.

Memorial: Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, Nord, France
also the War Memorial at St. Michael's Church, HernhillTheatre: France and FlandersDied: At Gouzeaucourt being relieved back to the Hindenburg system, initially reported "missing".

Memorial: Pozieres Memorial, Stone Number 48Theatre: France and FlandersDied: Killed in Action, during retiring actions from Braucourt to reinforce the Vaulx-Morchies line under heavy shelling and close-quarters fighting around Maricourt Wood.

Memorial: Maroeuil British Cemetery, Plot 4, Row J, Grave 6Theatre: France and FlandersDied: In the Gavrelle Sector during enemy attacked along the whole of the Divisional front accompanied by heavy artillery